Boycott the Roman Catholic Church (Scranton, Wilkes-Barre: fit in, school district, university)

[NYRangers 2008]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

"Vote for the pro-life candidate" vs. "Vote for Sen. McCain" is synonymous in my eyes when that man IS the ONLY pro-life candidate. Hasn't anyone bothered to read the bold quotations I copied and pasted directly from the web site of the IRS? This isn't merely a case of me spouting "anti-Catholicism," and once again I must respectfully ask both you and Go Phillies to quote specific points I addressed in which I disrespected Roman Catholics on a personal level. Finding the practice of "politicizing from the pulpit" to be reprehensible when it is in direct violation of the very guidelines that guarantee a tax-exempt status is NOT being "hateful." It is rightfully questioning why a renegade bishop can steamroll over the law of the land. When you have local cities, such as Scranton, struggling financially to begin with due to having a high presence of Roman Catholic institutions within its municipal boundaries that it can't draw tax revenues from and then see those very same structures being used to spew political venom grates on my nerves to no end. I've stopped attending church because I didn't agree with a sermon that brought Fox News, Rosie O'Donnell, and the "liberal fascists" into the fray. Keep politics OUT of houses of worship or continue to see the ranks of Atheists swell tremendously as we continue to become disillusioned with our faiths.

Paul, don't tell me you like Rosie O'Donnell? She's a big, loud-mouthed, no talent washed up comedian and actor. I find nothing redeeming about her.

[MermanMike]

Good posts throughout the thread ScranBarre, I can't rep you again or I would. When I think about the way religion is practiced by many people, and the way it is used to rationalize hatred and other mental illnesses that are rampant in our culture, it is pretty disappointing. It has become another form of controlling large groups of people, just like government. So it is no surprise that so many pastors and bishops are happy to tell their congregations how to think about a variety of political issues.

[MermanMike]

I think Paul has said before that he doesn't like Rosie--hopefully he has changed his mind!!! I will always stick up for her though. I think the work she did on The View was practically a public service, she is a hilarious comedian, and I am glad her new variety show on NBC is coming on soon. I don't have a TV so hopefully the clips will be on YouTube. She has a warm heart...she has helped build a state of the art veteran's hospital in Texas when our government would not cop to the job...she runs a non profit school for the performing arts in NYC that helps underpriviledged kids with talent have a chance at their dreams. She is a great human being.

[dlpres]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

"Vote for the pro-life candidate" vs. "Vote for Sen. McCain" is synonymous in my eyes when that man IS the ONLY pro-life candidate. Hasn't anyone bothered to read the bold quotations I copied and pasted directly from the web site of the IRS? This isn't merely a case of me spouting "anti-Catholicism," and once again I must respectfully ask both you and Go Phillies to quote specific points I addressed in which I disrespected Roman Catholics on a personal level. Finding the practice of "politicizing from the pulpit" to be reprehensible when it is in direct violation of the very guidelines that guarantee a tax-exempt status is NOT being "hateful." It is rightfully questioning why a renegade bishop can steamroll over the law of the land. When you have local cities, such as Scranton, struggling financially to begin with due to having a high presence of Roman Catholic institutions within its municipal boundaries that it can't draw tax revenues from and then see those very same structures being used to spew political venom grates on my nerves to no end. I've stopped attending church because I didn't agree with a sermon that brought Fox News, Rosie O'Donnell, and the "liberal fascists" into the fray. Keep politics OUT of houses of worship or continue to see the ranks of Atheists swell tremendously as we continue to become disillusioned with our faiths.

Your comment above basically saying that the reason why the SCr/WB area is struggling is because of the high % of Catholics in the area is a absolute joke. As a Catholic and a alum of King's you really should quit the school. I also notice you don't spend alot of time talking about Rev Wright or his Church or Resco or Farrakhan who just said by the way "The Messiah is coming" or Ayers or why Obama gave 800K to ACORN. Never mind the socialist tax policies, I could go on forever. You have to ask yourself why do all these radical people like him so much? Why?

Instead of blaming the Catholic Church tax exempt status for the area 's problems look right at the politicians that have been running the area ever since I could remember. Do you know what most if not all have in common? They are all Democrats.

Also for the post before asking about Rev Wright that he is just mis understood and bitter etc. How can you mistake God Dam America or the govt invented aids to kill black people etc etc etc? Are you kidding me?I don't know how to take that out of context. He also lives in a 2 or 3 million dollar home in the Chicago suburbs. I don't think he has alot to be bitter about now.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by dlpres

Your comment above basically saying that the reason why the SCr/WB area is struggling is because of the high % of Catholics in the area is a absolute joke. As a Catholic and a alum of King's you really should quit the school. I also notice you don't spend alot of time talking about Rev Wright or his Church or Resco or Farrakhan who just said by the way "The Messiah is coming" or Ayers or why Obama gave 800K to ACORN. Never mind the socialist tax policies, I could go on forever. You have to ask yourself why do all these radical people like him so much? Why?

Instead of blaming the Catholic Church tax exempt status for the area 's problems look right at the politicians that have been running the area ever since I could remember. Do you know what most if not all have in common? They are all Democrats.

Also for the post before asking about Rev Wright that he is just mis understood and bitter etc. How can you mistake God Dam America or the govt invented aids to kill black people etc etc etc? Are you kidding me?I don't know how to take that out of context. He also lives in a 2 or 3 million dollar home in the Chicago suburbs. I don't think he has alot to be bitter about now.

Really? "You should drop out of King's," you say. I never knew that it was a "club" exclusively for the enjoyment and betterment of Roman Catholics. I don't know how many years ago you graduated from our fine institution of higher learning, but I can safely say that right now besides Roman Catholics I am also friends on campus with an Atheist, an Agnostic, a Wiccan, a Muslim, and a Buddhist, along with many fellow Protestants. Is this backlash from the "do as you're told and never question your leaders" crowd---the very same ones that re-elected President Bush in 2004 because they were "afraid of the unknown?" (and look where four more years of Bush has us today---3,000+ dead in an endless quagmire along with fears of a depression).

Also please quote for me just where it is that I "defended" Rev. Wright. I believe you took that context from another member, as I replied to Go Phillies with a definitive answer that I do not support ANY politicizing from the pulpit, even if it were to further my so-called "radical" liberal agendas. I'm also still awaiting mm_mary, Go Phillies, and yourself to quote direct statements from me in which I "attacked" Catholics and/or showcased myself as being prejudiced against Catholics to the point of being offensive. I suppose the truth about how Bishop Martino continues to straddle the fine line between political neutrality and partisanship isn't welcome news for those who have been raised not to question religious authority---the very same ones who permitted those unspeakable acts against children to occur for so many years by simply "re-assigning" problem priests because it had been accepted as the status quo until recent times when people such as myself finally broke rank and demanded culpability. Just because you lead perhaps a billion or so people in their faith doesn't give you the right to steamroll over the other 5.5 billion non-Catholics world-wide who resent very much that you're being permitted to tell people how to vote while we can't.

[dlpres]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Really? "You should drop out of King's," you say. I never knew that it was a "club" exclusively for the enjoyment and betterment of Roman Catholics. I don't know how many years ago you graduated from our fine institution of higher learning, but I can safely say that right now besides Roman Catholics I am also friends on campus with an Atheist, an Agnostic, a Wiccan, a Muslim, and a Buddhist, along with many fellow Protestants. Is this backlash from the "do as you're told and never question your leaders" crowd---the very same ones that re-elected President Bush in 2004 because they were "afraid of the unknown?" (and look where four more years of Bush has us today---3,000+ dead in an endless quagmire along with fears of a depression).

Also please quote for me just where it is that I "defended" Rev. Wright. I believe you took that context from another member, as I replied to Go Phillies with a definitive answer that I do not support ANY politicizing from the pulpit, even if it were to further my so-called "radical" liberal agendas. I'm also still awaiting mm_mary, Go Phillies, and yourself to quote direct statements from me in which I "attacked" Catholics and/or showcased myself as being prejudiced against Catholics to the point of being offensive. I suppose the truth about how Bishop Martino continues to straddle the fine line between political neutrality and partisanship isn't welcome news for those who have been raised not to question religious authority---the very same ones who permitted those unspeakable acts against children to occur for so many years by simply "re-assigning" problem priests because it had been accepted as the status quo until recent times when people such as myself finally broke rank and demanded culpability. Just because you lead perhaps a billion or so people in their faith doesn't give you the right to steamroll over the other 5.5 billion non-Catholics world-wide who resent very much that you're being permitted to tell people how to vote while we can't.

Last time I checked King's is a Catholic school. All I am saying is that if you are so dedicated to your cause and it is so important to you why do you continue to pay tuition to the Catholic church? Why do you? Why do you continue to give them you hard earned money? WHY?

Just because one priest or Bishop has come out in support of the pro life candidate(whoever it maybe) should not surprise you, do you think that whatever the priest may say in church we all will then march right out and do what he says? The Catholic Church is Pro life and anti gay, does this come at a surprise to you?. But you Mr Liberal for some reason wants to go to college there. Go figure. Instead of posting post after post on here actually do something take a stand leave King's and go to another school.

Oh you did not repond to my last post. I think blaming the situation that Scr/WB is in on the Catholic church tax exempt status is crazy and in my opinion very anti Catholic. So there is your one example.

Can you answer my question what political party has been running Scranton for the past 20 years?

Don't go giving me your typical old Bush bashing agenda either. That is so yesterday.

You are part of the question everything and do nothing crowd.

King's alum 1991

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by dlpres

Last time I checked King's is a Catholic school. All I am saying is that if you are so dedicated to your cause and it is so important to you why do you continue to pay tuition to the Catholic church? Why do you? Why do you continue to give them you hard earned money? WHY?

Just because one priest or Bishop has come out in support of the pro life candidate(whoever it maybe) should not surprise you, do you think that whatever the priest may say in church we all will then march right out and do what he says? The Catholic Church is Pro life and anti gay, does this come at a surprise to you?. But you Mr Liberal for some reason wants to go to college there. Go figure. Instead of posting post after post on here actually do something take a stand leave King's and go to another school.

Oh you did not repond to my last post. I think blaming the situation that Scr/WB is in on the Catholic church tax exempt status is crazy and in my opinion very anti Catholic. So there is your one example.

Can you answer my question what political party has been running Scranton for the past 20 years?

Don't go giving me your typical old Bush bashing agenda either. That is so yesterday.

You are part of the question everything and do nothing crowd.

King's alum 1991

You'd be surprised how much the atmosphere of a campus can change in 17 years. My peers are consistently questioning our faiths and have been indoctrinated by our professors to also demand culpability from authority whenever possible.

You'll receive a reply in regards to how having such a high proportion of tax-exempt properties within the boundaries of our local communities is draining their economic vitality as soon as you, Go Phillies, and/or mm_mary can substantiate that there is a SOLID difference between "vote for the pro-life candidate" and "vote for Sen. McCain" when Sen. McCain is the ONLY pro-life candidate. That's like telling people "eat at the seafood restaurant shaped like a giant ship along North Washington Avenue" instead of saying "eat at Cooper's" or "Buy the model of car nicknamed the bug" instead of saying "Buy a Beetle." I fail to see the difference there. I would also like for you all to address the bolded statements I posted upthread that were taken directly from the IRS web site regarding this very same issue and then illustrate to me clearly how Bishop Martino is not dancing on the fine line between teaching doctrine and politicizing from the pulpit.

[returningtonepa???]

so it bothers you that mccain is pro life--then get obama to change his mind so the stakes are even--most christian churches--not just catholic churches wii verbally support the right to life policy--what about their right to state their church's beliefs?

still wondering why obama supporters are so defensive and unwilling to let others have beliefs contrary to their ticket--hmmm?

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by returningtonepa???

so it bothers you that mccain is pro life--then get obama to change his mind so the stakes are even--most christian churches--not just catholic churches wii verbally support the right to life policy--what about their right to state their church's beliefs?

still wondering why obama supporters are so defensive and unwilling to let others have beliefs contrary to their ticket--hmmm?

WHAT DON'T YOU PEOPLE UNDERSTAND??!!! I am admittedly pro-life. I just find it despicable that a tax-exempt religious body can steamroll over IRS regulations in telling its congregates for whom they should vote. We're coming closer and closer in this nation to forming a Christian-oriented government when "church" and "state" ought to be separated.

Bishop Martino is NOT just reiterating the church's stance on abortion. He is also getting involved in politics. He's walking along the fine line between partisanship and preaching.

[MermanMike]

A tribal mentality prevents clarity. It causes wars and makes people do things they wouldn't do if they were not identifying with a certain group of people. It makes them stand up for things that they may not even agree with because being a part of the tribe is so important to their sense of feeling safe. They don't know they don't agree, because the rational mind is made evil, so they learn how to suppress it and operate below it for the wellbeing of the tribe. Oh father, what do I know, it has been lifetimes since my last confession. Happy Sunday.